“The latest education proposal from the Governor lays off 200 more educators. When opportunities for our children are being cut, every public dollar spent needs to be properly reviewed. Spending should reflect our priorities and educating our children should come before $4 million a year more for legislator office space,” said Representative Les Gara (D-Anchorage).

“With billion dollar deficits, how can we justify a 500% increase in rent for legislative offices? Installing glass elevators and heated parking ramps while asking Alaskans to do more with less is unacceptable. On top of the misplaced priorities, it appears we may have gotten a bad deal for the new office space,” said Senator Bill Wielechowski (D-Anchorage).

The bill would require a legislative agency to solicit public comment from Alaskans across the state, for no less than 30 days, for sole source procurements of procurement of legislative office space that will add a cost of a quarter-million dollars or more over the term of the lease.

Requiring public comment will enable Alaskans to review whether spending on legislative office space is responsible, and, relevant to the 2013 expansion, whether the lease or purchase is in an amount that exceeds the market rate. The 2013 lease, according to many, increased the Anchorage Legislative Office Space by as much as $4 million/year, when utilities and taxes are counted. That contract was signed by the chairperson of Legislative Council. The current lease cost went from $680,000 a year to roughly $5 million a year when utilities and taxes are calculated in.

Current statute allows for the chairperson of Legislative Council, with permission from the Council, to enter into sole source contractual arrangements. In 2013, at the direction of the chairman of Council, the legislature entered into a binding contract that called for the remodel and expansion of the legislative office building in Anchorage. The new arrangement led to rent increases from approximately $56,000 per month to over $280,000 per month. The Council had given the Chair the authority to enter a deal at or below, but not above market rate rent.

“The legislature will be spending over ten years twenty-five or more million dollars than they would have to for a brand new, better building. That is how egregious this lease is,” stated Larry Norene, an Anchorage commercial real estate broker.

“This legislation will safeguard against excessive future legislative spending on Legislative office space, which, given the state’s fiscal condition, ranks well below much higher state priorities,” said Representative Gara.

For more information contact Senator Wielechowski at (907) 465-2435, Representative Gara at (907) 465-2647, or Larry Norene at (907) 229-1737.